The Oilers have one remaining restricted free agent to re-sign in Ryan McLeod. Speaking with 630 CHED (audio link), GM Ken Holland indicated that they expect to have the center signed by training camp on either a one-year or two-year deal. The 22-year-old spent most of last season with Edmonton, picking up 21 points in 71 games plus four more in 16 playoff contests. McLeod didn’t have salary arbitration rights so these talks could drag out closer to training camp. With the Oilers being pretty tight to the cap even after factoring in their LTIR-eligible players, getting McLeod signed for cheap will be critical so it wouldn’t be surprising if he ultimately settles for a one-year pact to keep the AAV as low as possible next season.
More from the Western Conference:
- The Jets showed interest in forward Calle Jarnkrok earlier this summer, even offering him more money than he ultimately accepted from Toronto, reports Sportsnet’s Ken Wiebe. The 30-year-old is coming off a quiet finish to his season with Calgary but his track record of being a capable and versatile third-liner would have helped him fit in quite well with Winnipeg. The Jets are one of the few teams that still have some money to spend this offseason – they have over $6MM in cap space per CapFriendly – so while they didn’t add Jarnkrok, they will certainly be adding a player or two in the coming weeks.
- Still with the Jets, after missing pre-tournament games for Finland, prospect Brad Lambert will be available for the start of the World Juniors, reports Corey Pronman of The Athletic (Twitter link). The 18-year-old slipped to 30th overall in the draft last month after being touted as a likely top-ten selection not all that long ago. Meanwhile, Lambert told Petteri Ikonen of Helsingin Sanomat that a decision on where he will play next season will be made next month during training camp. His contract with Pelicans in Finland is now up although he could sign a new one there. Alternatively, the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL hold his major junior rights while Lambert is eligible to play in the minors as well.
I really think Lambert could be the steal of the draft. He just needs to play somewhere next season where he can rebuild his confidence.
The Jets have Imploded! There are some rats In the locker room but nobody has the guts to say It, It seems to me that Scheifele and Wheeler are still running things.
Need to break up the boys club in Winnipeg.
Pitiful if no changes are made and young d – men aren’t given a regular spot with the big club. I don’t think Stanley should even be on the team. Is Chevy tanking this team before the season even starts
Good luck trying to break up the old boys club when ownership is part of it